Community News

Washington State Community College conducts 50th commencement

MARIETTA -- Washington State Community College celebrated its 50th graduation on Saturday with a total of 392 students inside Marietta College's Dyson Baudo Recreation Center.

Forty-two were College Credit Plus students, meaning they took college classes while attending high school. Associate's degrees were received by 294 graduates at Saturday's ceremony, while 238 graduates were awarded certificates. Washington State had 99 honors graduates this year as well as 10 veterans.

"This year was a successful year," said Tim Brunicardi, director of marketing for the college. "This class is very dedicated and hard working."

While this school year is Washington State's 52nd, this year's graduation is only the 50th.

"There is a two-year separation between the two dates because the first class to attend the college had to take two years to earn their degree," said Brunicardi.

As this year marks a very important anniversary, WSCC had some plans up their sleeves for the ceremony.

Peoples Bank President and CEO Chuck Sulerzyski, the keynote speaker, and the bank brought an inflatable money pit to the ceremony. A card was placed at each student's chair, three of which were marked. The three students who received a marked card were allowed time in the money pit to gather as much of the $1,000 placed in the pit as they could.

"I thought the money pit would be a good addition to my speech and a way to reward the students," Sulerzyski said. "My speech is about a happy life."

Clara Noelle can be reached at intern@newsandsentinel.com.